Socket-wrench removable oil filter

Abstract

A socket-wrench removable oil filter for making it easier for the user to remove an oil filter from one's vehicle. The socket-wrench removable oil filter includes an oil filter assembly having an oil filter member which includes a housing having top and side walls and being cylindrically-shaped and further having a plurality of finger-holding grooves being disposed therein and also having a slot being centrally-disposed in the top wall and being adapted to receive a portion of a socket wrench.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A socket-wrench removable oil filter comprising: 
       an oil filter assembly having an oil filter member which includes a housing having top and side walls and being cylindrically-shaped and further having a plurality of finger-holding grooves being disposed therein and also having a slot being centrally-disposed in said top wall and being adapted to receive a portion of a socket wrench; and  
       a support member being disposed in said slot for strengthening said slot during tightening and removal of said oil filter member, said support member comprising a ring member having a plurality of finger-like projections extending outwardly from a side of said ring member, said finger-like projections being spaced along an edge of a hole formed through said ring member, said finger-like projections being disposed generally perpendicular to said ring member, said finger-like projections being contactable with said side walls of said slot of said oil filter member to strengthen said slot when said oil filter member is being removed.  
     
     
       2. A socket-wrench removable oil filter as described in  claim 1 , wherein said slot has a plurality of side wall. 
     
     
       3. A socket-wrench removable oil filter as described in  claim 2 , wherein said oil filter member further includes a plurality of dimples being disposed in said side walls of said slot and being adapted to removably secure the socket wrench in said slot. 
     
     
       4. A socket-wrench removable oil filter as described in  claim 1 , wherein said finger-holding grooves are spaced about a perimeter of said top wall and are spaced about an upper portion of a circumference of said side wall of said housing. 
     
     
       5. A socket-wrench removable oil filter comprising: 
       an oil filter assembly having an oil filter member which includes a housing having top and side walls and being cylindrically-shaped and further having a plurality of finger-holding grooves being disposed therein and also having a slot being centrally-disposed in said top wall and being adapted to receive a portion of a socket wrench;  
       wherein said slot has a plurality of side walls and is generally quadrilaterally-shaped;  
       wherein said oil filter member further includes a plurality of dimples being disposed in said side walls of said slot and being adapted to removably secure the socket wrench in said slot, each of said dimples being centrally-disposed in a respective said side wall of said slot;  
       wherein said finger-holding grooves are spaced about a perimeter of said top wall and are spaced about an upper portion of a circumference of said side wall of said housing;  
       wherein said oil filter assembly further includes a support member being disposed in said slot for strengthening said slot during tightening and removal of said oil filter member; and  
       wherein said support member includes a ring member having a plurality of finger-like projections extending outwardly from a side of said ring member and being spaced along an edge of a quadrilaterally-shaped hole being disposed through said ring member, said finger-like projections being disposed generally perpendicular to said ring member and being in contactable relationship with said side walls of said slot of said oil filter member to strengthen said slot when said oil filter member is being removed.  
     
     
       6. A socket-wrench removable oil filter comprising: 
       an oil filter assembly having an oil filter member which includes a housing having top and side walls and being cylindrically-shaped and further having a plurality of finger-holding grooves being disposed therein and also having a slot being centrally-disposed in said top wall and being adapted to receive a portion of a socket wrench, said slot having a plurality of side walls and being generally quadrilaterally-shaped, said oil filter member further including a plurality of dimples being disposed in said side walls of said slot and being adapted to removably secure the socket wrench in said slot, each of said dimples being centrally-disposed in a respective said side wall of said slot, said finger-holding grooves being spaced about a perimeter of said top wall and being spaced about an upper portion of a circumference of said side wall of said housing, said oil filter assembly further including a support member being disposed in said slot for strengthening said slot during tightening and removal of said oil filter member, said support member including a ring member having a plurality of finger-like projections extending outwardly from a side of said ring member and being spaced along an edge of a quadrilaterally-shaped hole being disposed through said ring member, said finger-like projections being disposed generally perpendicular to said ring member and being in contactable relationship with said side walls of said slot of said oil filter member to strengthen said slot when said oil filter member is being removed, said slot having a depth of approximately ½ inch.